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Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris dreading prospect of facing former club Lyon in the Europa League

Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris admits he is dreading the prospect of facing his former club Lyon in the Europa League and says it will feel more like a Champions League tie.

The 26-year-old has wasted no time settling into his new surroundings following his £8m move from the French side during the summer.

Lloris had to be patient at the start as he waited to take over the number one spot from Brad Friedel, but he has now made the position his own and has become a fans' favourite at White Hart Lane.

Although the France captain still has a number of close team-mates at Lyon, he insists friendship will go out of the window when the two teams meet on Thursday night and is determined to help Tottenham reach the last 16 of the competition.

Lloris. speaking on Spurs TV, said: "It's not easy for me because it is very soon after my move, but I am concentrating and I'm ready to play this game for Tottenham and to be in the next round

"I received a lot of calls and a lot of messages [after the draw was made] because I have a lot of friends there still, and it is not easy for me because I have a good relationship with all my ex team-mates.

"But that's football and on the pitch there are no friends. We play for our team and we give the best we can for the team.

"The competition is very difficult, it's very long but we have a good team and we can do something in this competition.

"Lyon have great players like Lisandro [Lopez] and [Bafetimbi] Gomis. They also have young players from the academy who have the potential to be very good like [Mathieu] Gorgelin. It will be a difficult game and it could be like a Champions League game."